Locking apparatus with sensor for a folding top

ABSTRACT

A locking apparatus for a folding top of a vehicle includes a housing, a locking hook, a coupling device, a driving apparatus, and a sensor. The locking hook has a gripping end and a bearing end. The coupling device is movably mounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in a longitudinal direction of the locking hook. The bearing end is movably mounted to the coupling device to be horizontally adjustable with the coupling device in the longitudinal direction of the locking hook between closed and opened positions. The driving arm drives the locking hook to move the locking hook between the closed and opened positions. The sensor is configured to sense when the locking hook is in the closed and opened positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims foreign priority benefits under 35 U.S.C.§119(a)-(d) to DE 10 2010 044 704.8 , filed Sep. 8, 2010, which ishereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a locking apparatus for a folding topof a vehicle.

BACKGROUND

DE 103 00 882 A1 (corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 7,108,299) describes alocking apparatus for a folding top. The locking apparatus has a lockinghook with a front gripping end and a rear bearing end. The bearing endis movably mounted horizontally in a longitudinal direction of thelocking hook. The locking apparatus further includes a driving apparatusfor moving the locking hook. The driving apparatus includes two four-barlinkages respectively located on opposite sides of the locking hook. Thepivoting axes of the control arms extend horizontally such that thelocking apparatus requires a relatively large amount of space in orderto accommodate the kinematic requirements of the control arms. Thelocking apparatus may have a sensor to detect closed and openedpositions of the locking hook. For this purpose, a horizontallyprotruding ledge is formed on control arms of one four-bar linkage andcooperates with a switch mounted on the housing.

DE 102 05 144 B4 (corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,907), EP 0 488 494A1 (corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,939), and DE 103 52 488 B3describe locking apparatuses in which the locking hook has an adjustablerear bearing end in the longitudinal direction.

DE 199 64 066 A1, EP 0 309 065 A2 (corresponds to U.S. Pat. No.4,817,999), DE 41 11 646 A1, EP 0 879 723 B1 (corresponds to U.S. Pat.No. 6,158,786), DE 199 44 615 A1, and DE 101 05 771 A1 describe otherlocking apparatuses in which the locking hook is supported at its rearbearing end by a horizontal pivot axis that can be adjustably pivoted tothe housing.

EP 1 640 200 B1 (corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 7,407,201) and DE 199 09489 B4 describe locking apparatuses having a position detecting sensor.DE 197 02 833 A1 (corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,762,579), DE 44 19 179A1, DE 198 54 181 A1, DE 196 03 964 A1 (corresponds to U.S. Pat. No.5,791,204) and DE 196 01 948 A1 (corresponds to U.S. Pat. No. 5,823,905)describe position detecting sensors from different areas of technology.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention includes a locking apparatus for afolding top in which the locking apparatus has high reliability and acompact structural form.

In carrying out the above object and other objects, the presentinvention provides a locking apparatus for a folding top of a vehicle.The locking apparatus includes a housing, a locking hook, a drivingapparatus, and a sensor. The locking hook has a gripping end and abearing end. The bearing end is movably mounted in the housing to behorizontally adjustable in a longitudinal direction of the locking hooksuch that the locking hook is movable between closed and openedpositions. The driving apparatus has a driving arm and a crankmechanism. The crank mechanism has a crank that is arranged eccentric toan axis of rotation and is rotationally adjustable around the axis ofrotation. The crank is connected with the driving arm such that thecrank actuates the driving arm while rotating around the axis ofrotation. The driving arm is configured to drive the locking hook tomove the locking hook between the closed and opened positions upon thedriving arm being actuated by the crank. The sensor is configured tocooperate with the crank mechanism to sense when the locking hook is inthe closed and opened positions.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a locking apparatus fora folding top of a vehicle. The locking apparatus includes a housing, alocking hook, a driving apparatus, and a sensor. The locking hook has agripping end and a bearing end. The bearing end of the locking hook ismovably mounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in alongitudinal direction of the locking hook such that the locking hook ismovable between closed and opened positions. The driving apparatus isfor driving the locking hook to move the locking hook between the closedand opened positions. The sensor is for sensing when the locking hook isin either the closed or opened position. The driving apparatus includesa driving arm and a crank mechanism for actuating the driving arm. Thecrank mechanism has a crank that is arranged eccentric to an axis ofrotation and is rotationally adjustable around the axis of rotation. Thecrank is operationally connected with the driving arm. The sensorcooperates with the crank mechanism to sense when the locking hook is ineither the closed or opened position. The locking apparatus has acompact design and reliable detection of the state can be achieved dueto the features of the locking apparatus.

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a locking apparatusfor a folding top of a vehicle in which the locking apparatus includes alocking hook adjustable between closed and opened positions, a drivingapparatus equipped with a driving arm for adjusting the locking hookbetween its closed and opened positions, and a crank mechanism foractuating the driving arm. The crank mechanism has a crank arrangedeccentric to an axis of rotation. The crank is rotationally adjustablearound the axis of rotation. The driving apparatus is constructedcompactly such that the locking apparatus has a relatively flat overallshape. A sensor is arranged in the region of the crank mechanism todetect the closed and opened positions of the locking hook. The sensorcooperates with the crank mechanism in order to detect the position ofthe locking hook. In doing so, embodiments of the present invention makeuse of the knowledge that a geometrically simple kinematic system ispresent in the region of the crank mechanism which makes detectioneasier. The cost of implementing the sensor can thus be reducedaccordingly.

According to an embodiment, the crank mechanism has a rotationallyadjustable plate around its axis of rotation on which the crank ismounted. The sensor includes a switching gate that is arranged in arotationally fixed manner on the plate. The sensor further includesfirst and second switches that are arranged on the housing at a fixeddistance from one another. The switching gate and the switches arematched to one another so that the switching gate actuates the firstswitch when the locking hook is in the closed position and actuates thesecond switch when the locking hook is in the opened position. Thisdesign has a geometrically simple structure which assures acomparatively high degree of reliability.

According to an embodiment, the switching gate is arranged axially onthe plate. The plate forms an integral component of the crank mechanism.The plate is fabricated separately from the switching gate. The plate iscircumferentially enclosed by a housing for the crank mechanism.

According to an embodiment, the switching gate has a circular arc shapedouter contour pointing radially outwardly between its peripheral ends,from which the peripheral ends protrude radially in the outwarddirection. The switches are positioned so that a peripheral end of theswitching gate actuates the one switch when the locking hook is in theclosed position and the other peripheral end of the switching gateactuates the other switch when the locking hook is in the openedposition. By the circumferential distance between the two peripheralends and the circumferential distance between the two switches, theangular region through which the plate and thereby also the crank areturned allows for relatively precisely setting the locking hook betweenthe closed and open positions.

According to an embodiment, the peripheral ends transition to thecircular arc shaped outer contour by respective ramp contours. Thissimplifies the actuation of the respective switches. In addition oralternatively, the circular arc shaped outer contour is coaxially andradially offset inwardly with respect to a circular outer contour of theplate. An undesirable contour on the plate, which could collide withanother component of the crank mechanism, is prevented by this type ofconstruction. The peripheral ends of the switching gate close radiallyflush with the plate on the outside. This design reduces danger fromundesirable contours which could collide with a housing of the crankmechanism.

According to an embodiment, the switching gate is sickle shaped and thecrank is arranged on the opposite side of the plate with respect to theaxis of rotation. The available space on the plate can thus be utilizedfor accommodating the switching gate. The driving arm is locatedvertically above the switching gate when the locking apparatus is in theclosed position. The shape of the driving arm and the connection of thedriving arm to the crank are accomplished so that the switching gate isconcealed under the driving arm without colliding with the driving arm.

According to an embodiment, the driving arm is mounted pivotably to thecrank around a vertical pivot axis. The driving arm has a nose thatprojects radially out from the pivot axis. The housing has a stop. Thenose of the driving arm comes into contact with the stop when thelocking hook is in the closed position. The nose of the driving arm whenlying against the stop thereby defines the closed position of thelocking hook. Since the closed position of the locking hook is thusdefined in the region of the crank, the sensor arranged in the region ofthe crank operates precisely. The switching gate includes a recess on aninner contour facing toward one of the rotational axes into which thenose dips when the locking hook is in the opened position. This resultsin a compact design.

According to an embodiment, the driving apparatus is connected to thedrive through a coupling device with the bearing end of the lockinghook. The bearing end is pivotably mounted around a horizontal pivotaxis passing perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the lockinghook and is horizontally adjustable on the housing in the longitudinaldirection of the locking hook. That is, the locking hook is pivotablymounted by its rear bearing end about a horizontal pivot axis on thecoupling device and is horizontally adjustable relative to the housingthrough the coupling device that is adjustable longitudinally on thehousing. This enables the implementation of a favorable kinematicconfiguration for the locking hook, wherein frictional forces arereduced through the coupling device which increases the reliability ofthe locking apparatus.

According to an embodiment, the coupling device is a crosshead that hasa cross support and a shaft. The bearing end of the locking hook ismounted pivotably around the horizontal pivot axis on the cross carrier.The shaft is pivotably mounted around a vertical pivot axis to the crosscarrier and is connected to the driving apparatus. The drive connectionbetween the drive arm and the coupling device occurs through thevertical shaft in order to be able to adjust the coupling devicehorizontally relative to the housing. The designations “cross head” and“cross carrier” indicate that the horizontal pivot axis, about which thelocking hook is pivotably mounted to the coupling device or to the crosscarrier, and the vertical pivot axis, about which the vertical shaft ispivotably mounted to the cross carrier, are oriented essentiallyperpendicular to one another. Such a cross configuration has a compactdesign.

According to an embodiment, the coupling device has at least one sliderand the housing has at least one guide rail. The guide rail extendshorizontally in the longitudinal direction. The slider of the couplingdevice engages the guide rail and is adjustable along the guide rail.This enables a slider guide to be implemented that operates with lowfriction and high reliability.

According to an embodiment, the vertical shaft of the crosshead ispivotably mounted on or in first and second sliders around the verticalpivot axis or the vertical shaft is rotationally fixed with reference tothe sliders. The sliders are pivotably mounted on the housing around thevertical pivot axis. The vertical shaft of the sliders penetrates and isconnected to the drive with a drive mechanism on a side facing away fromthe cross support. The cross support along with the locking hook mountedon it is located on the guide rail. The drive mechanism of the guiderail is coupled to the crosshead through the vertical shaft. Thisincreases the stability of the slider guide. The vertical shaft may beintegrally formed from one piece of material.

According to an embodiment, the housing has two plates that areseparated vertically from one another. The coupling device is arrangedbetween the plates of the housing to be horizontally adjustable. Theguide rails are respectively formed in the plates. The housing thus hasa relatively simple design. In an embodiment, two guide rails areprovided that are designed to be parallel to one another respectively inthe plates. This results in a stable slider guide insofar as thecoupling device is equipped with two sliders that cooperate respectivelywith the guide rails.

According to an embodiment, the housing has a downward directed exitopening through which the locking hook protrudes from the housing. As aresult, the locking hook can grasp a suitable counter piece such as abracket from below with its forward gripping end during the transitionfrom its opened position to its closed position and then pull thegrasped bracket to the rear.

According to an embodiment, the driving apparatus has at least onetwo-bar linkage. The driving arm is operationally connected with thetwo-bar linkage. An actuating drive actuates the driving arm. Thetwo-bar linkage has a front control arm and a rear control arm. Thefront control arm is pivotably mounted to the housing in the frontaround a front vertical axis. The rear control arm is operationallyconnected with the bearing end of the locking hook through a couplingdevice in the rear. The rear control arm is pivotably mounted on thecoupling device around a rear vertical pivot axis. Both control arms ofthe two-bar linkage are pivotably mounted to one another around anintermediate vertical pivot axis between their pivot axes. The drivingarm is pivotably mounted on one of the control arms of the two-barlinkage between their pivot axes around another vertical pivot axis. Thedriving apparatus is constructed relatively compactly in the verticaldirection due to the use of vertical pivot axes for the driving arm andthe control arms resulting in a relatively flat overall shape. Thecontrol arms of the two-bar linkages form an elbow joint. The elbowjoint is driven by the driving arm and can transmit relatively largeforces to the locking hook in the extended position, especially for theclosed position of the locking hook. This simplifies the implementationof an appropriately sized actuating drive and increases the security ofthe locking apparatus in the closed position of the locking hook.

According to an embodiment, the driving apparatus has first and secondtwo-bar linkages. The second two-bar linkage is located a distance fromthe first two-bar linkage on or in the housing. The front vertical pivotaxes, the rear vertical pivot axes, and the middle vertical pivot axesof the two-bar linkages respectively extend coaxially with respect toone another or coincide. In a variant, the front control arms of thetwo-bar linkages are connected with one another coaxially in arotationally fixed manner to the pivot axis and/or the rear control armsof the two-bar linkages are connected with one another coaxially in arotationally fixed manner to the pivot axis. This results in a stablesupport of the coupling device on the housing through the two-barlinkages, whereby a reliable adjustability of the coupling device isachieved with respect to the housing.

According to an embodiment, the actuating drive has a crank mechanismfor actuating the driving arm. The crank mechanism has a crank that isrotationally adjustable about a vertical axis of rotation which iseccentric to the crank. The driving arm is pivotably mounted distal tothe two-bar linkage on the crank about a pivot axis that is coaxiallyvertical to the crank. Due to this vertically rotating crank mechanism,only a small amount of space is required in the vertical direction. Thiscontributes structurally to the flat design of the locking apparatus. Acomparatively large transmission of force to the driving arm, andthereby to the two-bar linkage, can be achieved with the aid of such acrank mechanism, which contributes to the operational reliability of thelocking apparatus.

According to an embodiment, the actuating drive has a motor and atransmission coupled to the motor. An output of the transmission drivesor forms the crank mechanism. The transmission is a planetary geartransmission, whose sun gear is connected to the motor and whose planetgear carrier or ring gear forms the output that drives or forms thecrank mechanism. A worm gear can follow the drive connection between amotor output and the sun gear of the transmission so that the rotorspindle of the motor is oriented at right angles to the rotational axesof the transmission.

According to an embodiment, the control arm of the two-bar linkageassumes a top dead center position when the locking hook is in theclosed position. The elbow joint is overloaded in the top dead centerposition so that tensile forces on the locking hook no longer transmittensile forces to the driving arm while compression forces aretransmitted by the control arms of the two-bar linkage to the drivingarm in order to set the locking hook in the opened position.Self-locking of the two-bar linkage results for the top dead centerposition when the locking hook is in the closed position.

According to an embodiment, the driving apparatus has first and secondtwo-bar linkages. The second two-bar linkage is located a distance fromthe first two-bar linkage on or in the housing. The respective frontvertical pivot axes, rear vertical pivot axes, and middle vertical pivotaxes coincide so that identical kinematic relationships result. Thefront control arm of the two-bar linkages can be coaxial with the frontpivot axis and rotationally fixed to one another. In addition oralternatively, the rear control arm of the two-bar linkages can beconnected coaxially to the rear pivot axis and rotationally fixed to oneanother. The reliability of the locking apparatus is improved throughthe two-bar linkages that act in parallel and the coupling device drivenin parallel, since it is possible to achieve horizontal actuation of thecoupling device that is almost free of overturning torques.

According to an embodiment, the front control arms of the two-barlinkages are arranged on a common front shaft in a rotationally fixedmanner. The front shaft is pivotably mounted on the housing around thefront pivot axis. In addition or alternatively, the rear control arms ofthe two-bar linkages are arranged on a common rear shaft in arotationally fixed manner. The rear shaft is pivotably mounted on thecoupling device around the rear pivot axis. The use of common shaftssimplifies the rotationally fixed coupling between the control arms.

According to an embodiment, the housing has two vertically separatedplates. The bearing end of the locking hook is located between theplates and is arranged to be horizontally adjustable. The two-barlinkages are arranged on outer sides of the respective plates. Thisresults in a stable support for the two-bar linkages on the housing andto the coupling device on the housing.

Embodiments of the present invention also relate to a convertiblevehicle having a folding top and a locking apparatus for the foldingtop. The folding top is movable between its own closed and openedpositions. The locking apparatus is in accordance with embodiments ofthe present invention. The locking apparatus is configured to lock thefolding top in the folding top's closed position. To this end, thelocking apparatus is adjustable between its closed and opened positions.After the folding top is moved to the folding top's closed position, thelocking apparatus can be moved to its closed position to lock thefolding top in the folding top's closed position. The locking apparatuscan be arranged on the folding top side so that the locking hookcooperates with a hook on the vehicle side. An example is the lockingapparatus being arranged on the roof cap of the folding top on thefolding top side which comes to rest on an upper windshield frame whenthe folding top is in the folding top's closed position.

The terms “horizontal” and “vertical” relate to a typical installationsituation for the locking apparatus. The terms “forward” and “rear”relate to the direction of motion of the locking hook such that anextension of the locking hook occurs in the forward direction while aretraction or pulling back of the locking hook occurs toward the rear.

The above features, and other features and advantages of the presentinvention are readily apparent from the following detailed descriptionthereof when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. It isunderstood that the features stated above and to be explained below beused not only in the particular stated combination, but also in othercombinations or alone without departing from the scope of the presentinvention.

Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings andexplained in greater detail in the following description. Identical,similar, or functionally equivalent components are denoted by the samereference numerals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a partially sectioned side view of a lockingapparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention withthe locking apparatus being in a closed position;

FIG. 2 illustrates a partially sectioned side view of the lockingapparatus in an opened position;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the locking apparatus in the closedposition;

FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the locking apparatus in anintermediate position; and

FIG. 5 illustrates a top view of the locking apparatus in the openedposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein;however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments aremerely exemplary of the present invention that may be embodied invarious and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale;some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details ofparticular components. Therefore, specific structural and functionaldetails disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, butmerely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art tovariously employ the present invention.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a locking apparatus 1 in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention will be described. Locking apparatus1 is adjustable (i.e., movable) between closed and opened positions.Locking apparatus 1 is for use with a folding top of a vehicle. In theclosed position, locking apparatus 1 is used to lock the folding top inplace. When moved out of the closed position, locking apparatus 1 isunlocked from the folding top.

Locking apparatus 1 includes a locking lever hook 2. Locking hook 2 hasa front gripping end 3 and a rear bearing end 4.

Locking apparatus 1 further includes a housing 5. Bearing end 4 oflocking hook 2 is mounted horizontally to a coupling device 15 inhousing 5 such that bearing end 4 can be adjusted longitudinally alonglocking hook 2 in a horizontal direction 6. The longitudinal directionof locking hook 2 is indicated by a line passing through gripping end 3and bearing end 4. It is thus the direction in which locking hook 2extends starting from bearing end 4 in the direction of forward grippingend 3.

Locking apparatus 1 further includes a driving apparatus 7. Drivingapparatus 7 is used to adjust (i.e., move) locking hook 2 between theclosed and opened positions of locking apparatus 1. FIGS. 1 and 3 showlocking apparatus 1 in its closed position. FIGS. 2 and 5 show lockingapparatus 1 in its opened position. FIG. 4 shows locking apparatus 1 inan intermediate position between the closed and opened positions.

Driving apparatus 7 includes a first two-bar linkage 8 and a secondtwo-bar linkage 8′. In other embodiments, driving apparatus includesonly a single two-bar linkage such as first two-bar linkage 8. Drivingapparatus 7 further includes a driving arm 10 and an actuating drive 11.Driving arm 10 is operationally connected with first two-bar linkage 8.Actuating drive 11 is configured to actuate driving arm 10.

First two-bar linkage 8 has a front control arm 9 and a rear control arm12. Similarly, second two-bar linkage 8′ has a front control arm 9′ anda rear control arm 12′. Both front control arms 9, 9′ are pivotablymounted in the forward direction by a front vertical pivot axis 13 onhousing 5. Both rear control arms 12, 12′ are pivotably mounted at therear about a rear vertical pivot axis 14 to coupling device 15. Bothrear control arms 12, 12′ are operationally connected to bearing end 4of locking hook 2 through coupling device 15.

The first control arm 9, 12 of first two-bar linkage 8 and the secondcontrol arm 9′, 12′ of second two-bar linkage 8′ are pivotably mountedto one another between their pivot axes 13, 14 about an intermediatevertical pivot axis 16. The two control arms 9, 12 and 9′, 12′ therebyrespectively form an elbow joint whose elbow lies in the region ofintermediate pivot axis 16.

Driving arm 10 can be pivotably mounted on one of control arms 9, 9′,12, 12′ of one of two-bar linkages 8, 8′ between pivot axes 13, 14, 16of the respective control arm 9, 9′, 12, 12′ about another verticalpivot axis 17. In this embodiment, driving arm 10 is pivotably mountedon front control arm 9 of first two-bar linkage 8 between front pivotaxis 13 and intermediate pivot axis 16.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, actuating drive 11 of driving apparatus 7includes a crank mechanism 19. Actuating drive 11 drives driving arm 10of driving apparatus 7, and thereby drives two-bar linkages 8, 8′, viacrank mechanism 19. Crank mechanism 19 includes a crank 20. Crank 20 canthereby be adjusted rotationally about a rotational axis 21. Rotationalaxis 21 is eccentrically arranged with respect to crank 20. Driving arm10 is distal to first two-bar linkage 8 and is pivotably mounted andseparated with respect to two-bar linkage 8 on crank 20 about a verticalpivot axis 22. Vertical pivot axis 22 extends coaxially to crank 20.

Actuating drive 11 of driving apparatus 7 further includes a motor 23,such as an electric motor, and an operationally connected transmission24. An output of transmission 24 drives crank mechanism 19.Alternatively, the output of transmission 24 itself forms crankmechanism 19. Transmission 24 can be a planetary gear transmission whosesun gear is operationally connected to motor 23, either directly orindirectly through a worm gear. A planet gear carrier or a ring gear oftransmission 24 thus forms the actuator of transmission 24 that forms ordrives crank mechanism 19.

As shown in the top view of FIG. 3, in the closed position of lockingapparatus 1, control arms 9, 12 of first two-bar linkage 8 assume a topdead center position for first two-bar linkage 8. Likewise, control arms9′, 12′ of second two-bar linkage 8′ assume a top dead center positionfor second two-bar linkage 8′. In the top dead center position,intermediate pivot axis 16 is located on a side of an imaginary line 25facing toward crank mechanism 19. Imaginary line 25 extendsperpendicular through front pivot axis 13 and rear pivot axis 14. Awayfrom the closed position of locking apparatus 1, intermediate pivot axis16 is located on a side of imaginary line 25 facing away from crankmechanism 19.

As indicated, driving apparatus 7 can function with a single two-barlinkage 8. However, in this embodiment, driving apparatus 7 includessuch two-bar linkages 8, 8′. Two-bar linkages 8, 8′ are identical andare separated from one another along vertical direction 18 at or inhousing 5. Two-bar linkages 8, 8′ are coupled together. As such, firsttwo-bar linkage 8 is directly driven by driving arm 10 and drivessecond-two bar linkage 8′ when driven.

In order to operationally couple two-two bar linkages 8, 8′ with oneanother, front control arms 9, 9′ are connected with one anothercoaxially in a rotationally fixed manner to front pivot axis 13. Frontcontrol arms 9, 9′ are pivotably mounted on housing 5 by a common frontshaft 26 extending coaxially to front pivot axis 13. Similarly, rearcontrol arms 12, 12′ are connected with one another coaxially in arotationally fixed manner to rear pivot axis. Rear control arms 12, 12′are connected in a rotationally fixed manner by a common rear shaft 27extending coaxially to rear pivot axis 14. Rear control arms 12, 12′ arepivotably mounted to coupling device 15 around rear pivot axis 14through rear shaft 27.

Housing 5 includes two vertically separated plates 28, 29. Bearing end 4of locking hook 2 is arranged in a horizontally adjustable mannerbetween plates 28, 29. Both two-bar linkages 8, 8′ are located on twoouter sides of plates 28, 29 facing away from one another while bearingend 4 is located between two inner sides of plates 28, 29 facing oneanother.

Driving apparatus 7 is operationally connected through coupling device15 with bearing end 4 of locking hook 2. Bearing end 4 of locking hook 2is pivotably mounted to coupling device 15 around a horizontal pivotaxis 30. Horizontal pivot axis 30 is oriented perpendicular to thelongitudinal direction of locking hook 2. Coupling device 15 isadjustably mounted horizontally on housing 5 in the longitudinaldirection of locking hook 2. Therefore, locking hook 2 is not mounteddirectly on housing 5 at its bearing end 4. Rather, locking hook 2 ismounted indirectly through coupling device 15 so that locking hook canpivot about pivot axis 30 and can be adjusted along horizontal direction6.

Coupling device 15 is designed as a crosshead. Coupling device 15 has across support 31 on which bearing end 4 of locking hook 2 is pivotablymounted on a pivot bearing 32 about horizontal pivot axis 30. Crosshead15 has a vertical shaft 33 that is pivotably mounted around rearvertical pivot axis 14 on cross support 31. Coupling device 15 isoperationally connected with driving apparatus 7 by vertical shaft 33.Vertical shaft 33 can include rear shaft 27, which is suitable for thetransmission of horizontal forces oriented in the longitudinal directionof locking hook 2, along with respective rear control arm 12.

Coupling device 15 further includes first and second sliders 34, 34.Sliders 34, 34′ act in parallel. Housing 5 has guide rails 35, 35′ whichrespectively correspond to sliders 34, 34′. Guide rails 35, 35′ extendhorizontally in the longitudinal direction of locking hook 2. Sliders34, 34′ are pivotably arranged in the respective guide rails 35, 35′.Sliders 34, 34′ and guide rails 35, 35′ are designed two-dimensionallyor bi-directionally. Vertical shaft 33 in or on sliders 34, 34′ ispivotably mounted about rear vertical pivot axis 14. In an alternativeembodiment, vertical shaft 33 is arranged to be rotationally fixed withrespect to sliders 34, 34′, wherein sliders 34, 34′ are pivotablymounted about rear vertical pivot axis 14 on housing 5.

Vertical shaft 33, or a section of vertical shaft 33 forming rear shaft27, crosses sliders 34, 34′ and is operationally connected with drivingapparatus 7 on the side turned away from cross support 31. Rear shaft 27is integrally molded to vertical shaft 33. Vertical shaft 33 can befabricated integrally from one piece with sliders 34, 34′.

Insofar as housing 5 has two vertical plates 28, 29 separated from oneanother, coupling device 15 is arranged to be horizontally adjustablebetween plates 28, 29. Guide rails 35, 35′ are thus formed in plates 28,29 so that each plate 28, 29 has one such guide rail 35, 35′. Both guiderails 35, 35′ thereby extend parallel to one another and in a straightline.

Housing 5 is equipped in front with an exit aperture 36. Locking hook 2passes through exit aperture 36 such that locking hook 2 extends outfrom housing 5 at least with its front gripping end 3. When locking hook2 is moved from the closed position into the opened position, bearingend 4 of locking hook 2 moves from a retracted rear position (shown inFIG. 1) in the forward direction to a front position (shown in FIG. 2).In this case, locking hook 2 is extended in the forward directionthrough exit aperture 36. When retracting from the opened position tothe closed position, locking hook 2 again passes or retracts throughexit aperture 36 in housing 5 toward the rear.

As shown in FIGS. 3-5, locking apparatus 1 further includes a sensor 37.Sensor 37 is configured to detect for whether locking hook 2 is in theclosed position or opened position. Sensor 37 cooperates with crankmechanism 19 of locking apparatus 1 in order to detect the position oflocking hook 2. The components of sensor 37 are arranged in the regionof crank mechanism 19 for this purpose.

Crank mechanism 19 includes a plate 38 that can be rotationally adjustedabout rotational axis 21 on which crank 20 is located. Crank 20 can thusbe mounted in a rotationally fixed manner to plate 38 depending on thecoupling between crank 20 and the driving lever. Crank 20 can be mountedto plate 38 in a rotational manner around its axis of rotation 22.

Sensor 37 has a switching gate 39. Switching gate 39 is located in arotationally fixed manner on plate 38 and has first and second switches40, 41. Both switches 40, 41 are arranged at a distance from one anotherin the circumferential direction of plate 38 and are fixed in place withrespect to housing 5. For example, switches 40, 41 are placed on aprinted circuit board 42 mounted to housing 5. Switching gate 39 andswitches 40, 41 are matched to one another so that switching gate 39actuates switches 40, 41. Thus, switching gate 39 actuates first switch40 in the closed position of the locking hook 2 shown in FIG. 3 andactuates second switch 41 in the opened position of locking hook 2 shownin FIG. 5.

Switching gate 39 is located on plate 38 with respect to the axis ofrotation 21. Switching gate 39 is sickle shaped and extends in thecircumferential direction of plate 38. Switching gate 39 hascorrespondingly two peripheral ends (first peripheral end 43 and secondperipheral end 44). Switching gate 39 is located on plate 38 relative torotational axis 21 opposite crank 20. Thus, crank 20 and switching gate39 lie on plate 38 relative to one another diametrically opposed torotation axis 21.

Switching gate 39 has a radial outer shape between its peripheral ends43, 44. In particular, switching gate 39 has a circular arc shaped outercontour 45 that protrudes radially outwardly from peripheral ends 43,44. Peripheral ends 43, 44 are used to actuate switches 40, 41. Firstperipheral end 43 actuates first switch 40 in the closed positionaccording to FIG. 3. Second peripheral end 44 actuates second switch 41in the opened position according to FIG. 5.

Peripheral ends 43, 44 transition respectively into the circular arcshaped outer contour 45 by respective ramp contours 46, 47. Rampcontours 46, 47 simplify the actuation of respective switches 40, 41.Peripheral ends 43, 44 terminate radially outwardly and are flush withplate 38, which has a circular outer contour 48. Circular outer contour45 of switching gate 39 is correspondingly displaced coaxially andradially toward the inside with respect to circular outer contour 48 ofplate 38.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the connection between driving arm 10 andcrank 20 is such that switching gate 39 can be inserted below drivingarm 10. For example, driving arm 10 is offset for this purpose in orderto create a vertical space between driving arm 10 and switching gate 39.

Driving arm 10 is mounted pivotably on crank 20 about vertical pivotaxis 22, which is coaxial with crank 20. Driving arm 10 has a radiallyprotruding nose 49 with respect to rotation axis 22. Nose 49 liescorrespondingly distal to the associated first two-bar linkage 8 ofdriving arm 10. Housing 5 has a stop 50 at which nose 49 rests upon whenlocking apparatus 1 reaches the closed position according to FIG. 3.Stop 50 correspondingly defines the closed position of locking apparatus1. Switching gate 39 has a recess 52 on an inner contour 51 facingtoward rotation axis 21 of plate 38, which can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5.Nose 49 dips into recess 52 when nose 49 reaches the opened position oflocking hook 2 according to FIG. 5.

Locking apparatus 1 presented herein may be used in a motor vehicle thathas a folding top in which the folding top is movable between foldingtop closed and opened positions. Locking 1 is used for closing orlocking the folding top in its closed position. Two or more such lockingapparatuses (for instance, one on each longitudinal side of the foldingtop) can be used together. For example, the folding top can have a roofcap on a front end that precedes during the closing process on which atleast one such locking apparatus 1 is arranged. The roof cap comes torest on an upper windshield frame in the closed position of the foldingtop. Locking hook 2 thereby grips a bracket or the like provided on thewindshield frame. Locking apparatus 1 is thus located on the folding topside. This solution is favored by the flat or compact design in verticaldirection 18.

While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended thatthese embodiments describe all possible forms of the present invention.Rather, the words used in the specification are words of descriptionrather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Additionally, the features of various implementingembodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the presentinvention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A locking apparatus for a folding top of avehicle, the locking apparatus comprising: a housing; a locking hookhaving a gripping end and a bearing end; a coupling device movablymounted in the housing to be horizontally adjustable in a longitudinaldirection of the locking hook; wherein the bearing end is movablymounted to the coupling device to be horizontally adjustable with thecoupling device in the longitudinal direction of the locking hookbetween closed and opened positions; a driving apparatus having adriving arm and a crank mechanism, wherein the crank mechanism has acrank that is arranged eccentric to an axis of rotation and isrotationally adjustable around the axis of rotation, wherein the crankis connected with the driving arm such that the crank actuates thedriving arm while rotating around the axis of rotation, wherein thedriving arm is configured to drive the locking hook to move the lockinghook between the closed and opened positions upon the driving arm beingactuated by the crank; and a sensor configured to cooperate with thecrank mechanism to sense when the locking hook is in the closed andopened positions.
 2. The locking apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the crankmechanism further includes a crank plate that is rotationally adjustablearound the rotation axis, wherein the crank is mounted on the crankplate; wherein the sensor includes a switching gate arranged in arotationally fixed manner on the crank plate and first and secondswitches arranged on the housing fixed in position at a distance fromone another in the circumferential direction of the crank plate; whereinthe switching gate actuates the first switch when the locking hook is inthe closed position and actuates the second switch when the locking hookis in the opened position.
 3. The locking apparatus of claim 2 wherein:the switching gate is mounted axially on the crank plate.
 4. The lockingapparatus of claim 2 wherein: the switching gate has an outer contourbetween first and second peripheral ends; wherein the first peripheralend actuates the first switch when the locking hook is in the closedposition and the second peripheral end actuates the second switch whenthe locking hook is in the opened position.
 5. The locking apparatus ofclaim 4 wherein: the peripheral ends transform into the outer contour byrespective ramp contours.
 6. The locking apparatus of claim 4 wherein:the outer contour is offset coaxially and radially inwardly compared toan outer contour of the crank plate.
 7. The locking apparatus of claim 4wherein; the peripheral ends are radially flush with the crank plate. 8.The locking apparatus of claim 2 wherein: the driving arm is locatedvertically above the switching gate when the locking hook is in theclosed position.
 9. The locking apparatus of claim 2 wherein: thedriving arm is mounted pivotably on the crank around a vertical pivotaxis and the driving arm has a nose that protrudes radially with respectto the vertical pivot axis; wherein the housing includes a stop; whereinthe nose of the driving arm rests against the stop of the housing whenthe locking hook is in the closed position.
 10. The locking apparatus ofclaim 9 wherein: the switching gate includes a recess on an innercontour facing toward the axis of rotation into which the nose of thedriving arm dips into when the locking hook is in the opened position.11. The locking apparatus of claim 1 wherein: the driving apparatusincludes a two-bar linkage, wherein the driving arm is connected withthe two-bar linkage; wherein the two-bar linkage has a front control armand a rear control arm, wherein the front control arm is pivotablymounted to the housing around a front vertical pivot axis, wherein therear control arm is connected with the bearing end of the locking hookthrough the coupling device and is pivotably mounted on the couplingdevice around a rear vertical pivot axis; wherein the control arms ofthe two bar-linkage are pivotably mounted to one another between theiraxes of rotation around an intermediate vertical pivot axis; wherein thedriving arm is pivotably mounted to one of the control arms between thepivot axes of the control arms around another vertical axis of rotation.12. A locking apparatus for a folding top of a vehicle, the lockingapparatus comprising: a housing; a locking hook having a gripping endand a bearing end, wherein the bearing end is movably mounted in thehousing to be horizontally adjustable in a longitudinal direction of thelocking hook such that the locking hook is movable between closed andopened positions; a driving apparatus having a driving arm and a crankmechanism, wherein the crank mechanism has a crank that is arrangedeccentric to an axis of rotation and is rotationally adjustable aroundthe axis of rotation, wherein the crank is connected with the drivingarm such that the crank actuates the driving arm while rotating aroundthe axis of rotation, wherein the driving arm is configured to drive thelocking hook to move the locking hook between the closed and openedpositions upon the driving arm being actuated by the crank; and a sensorconfigured to cooperate with the crank mechanism to sense when thelocking hook is in the closed and opened positions; wherein the crankmechanism further includes a crank plate that is rotationally adjustablearound the rotation axis, wherein the crank is mounted on the crankplate; wherein the sensor includes a switching gate arranged in arotationally fixed manner on the crank plate and first and secondswitches arranged on the housing fixed in position at a distance fromone another in the circumferential direction of the crank plate; whereinthe switching gate actuates the first switch when the locking hook is inthe closed position and actuates the second switch when the locking hookis in the opened position; wherein the switching gate is sickle shapedand is arranged on the crank plate lying opposite with respect to therotation axis of the crank.
 13. A vehicle assembly comprising: a movablefolding top; and a locking apparatus having a housing, a locking hook, adriving apparatus, and a sensor; wherein the locking hook has a grippingend and a bearing end, wherein the bearing end is movably mounted in thehousing to be horizontally adjustable in a longitudinal direction of thelocking hook such that the locking hook is movable between closed andopened positions; wherein the driving apparatus has a driving arm and acrank mechanism, wherein the crank mechanism has a crank that isarranged eccentric to an axis of rotation and is rotationally adjustablearound the axis of rotation, wherein the crank is connected with thedriving arm such that the crank actuates the driving arm while rotatingaround the axis of rotation, wherein the driving arm is configured todrive the locking hook to move the locking hook between the closed andopened positions upon the driving arm being actuated by the crank;wherein the sensor is configured to cooperate with the crank mechanismto sense when the locking hook is in the closed and opened positions;wherein the locking apparatus and the folding top are arranged such thatthe locking hook locks the folding top in position when the locking hookis in the closed position.
 14. The vehicle assembly of claim 13 wherein:the crank mechanism further includes a crank plate that is rotationallyadjustable around the rotation axis, wherein the crank is mounted on thecrank plate; wherein the sensor includes a switching gate arranged in arotationally fixed manner on the crank plate and first and secondswitches arranged on the housing fixed in position at a distance fromone another in the circumferential direction of the crank plate; whereinthe switching gate actuates the first switch when the locking hook is inthe closed position and actuates the second switch when the locking hookis in the opened position.
 15. The vehicle assembly of claim 14 wherein:the switching gate has an outer contour between first and secondperipheral ends; wherein the first peripheral end actuates the firstswitch when the locking hook is in the closed position and the secondperipheral end actuates the second switch when the locking hook is inthe opened position.
 16. The vehicle assembly of claim 14 wherein: theouter contour is offset coaxially and radially inwardly compared to anouter contour of the crank plate.
 17. The vehicle assembly of claim 14wherein: the switching gate is sickle shaped and is arranged on thecrank plate lying opposite with respect to the rotation axis of thecrank.
 18. The vehicle assembly of claim 14 wherein: the driving arm ismounted pivotably on the crank around a vertical pivot axis and thedriving arm has a nose that protrudes radially with respect to thevertical pivot axis; wherein the housing includes a stop; wherein thenose of the driving arm rests against the stop of the housing when thelocking hook is in the closed position.
 19. The vehicle assembly ofclaim 18 wherein: the switching gate includes a recess on an innercontour facing toward the axis of rotation into which the nose of thedriving arm dips into when the locking hook is in the opened position.